Free First Saturday: Puppet Playdate

Ring Toss Playdate, 10 am–3 pm
Use your creativity to decorate and personalize your own ring toss set with fun colors, patterns, and designs. Once your ring toss is complete, you’ll join other kids to explore different ring toss courses. Test your aim, cheer each other on, and see how many targets you can hit. Every course is different, so get ready for a fun-filled challenge full of creativity and teamwork!

Finger Puppets, 10 am–3 pm
In this activity, you’ll use your imagination to make colorful finger puppets! Make a different puppet for each finger. Once your puppets are finished, you can use them to tell stories, put on mini puppet shows, and play with your friends and family.

Whimsical Beast Marionettes, 10 am–3 pm
Join In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre to make your own marionette puppet. With your imagination, wooden rods, and colorful paper you’ll bring your whimsical beast to life!

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Library, 10 am–3 pm
Check out the community puppet library from In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. Learn from the artists, take photos with the puppets, and find out more about how you can check one out for yourself!

Family Fun Resource Table, 10 am–3 pm
Grab a Scavenger Hunt to explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden or borrow some toys to get your body moving!

Dance Party with DJ Leah Maria, 10 am–12 noon and 1–3 pm
DJ Leah Maria will keep the party hopping with music, dancing, and smiles for kids and families alike. Join us for a playful day where puppets, friends, and fantastic memories come together for an unforgettable celebration!

In The Heart of The Beast Puppet Parade, 11 am–1 pm
Join the Heart of the Beast Mask and Puppet Theater Puppet Parade and march along with the music. Wave your brand-new finger puppet friend, say hello to the playful beastly marionettes, and enjoy the excitement as everyone dances, smiles, and celebrates together.

Guided Tours of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
11:30 am (families)
1 pm (general audiences)
3 pm (in Spanish)
Join a Walker educator for a family-friendly guided tour of artworks on view in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at 11:30 am (40 min.), take a guided tour for general audiences at 1 pm (60 min.), or join guided tour in Spanish at 3 pm (60 min). Tours explore a selection of artworks and include interactive discussion. Meet outside the Vineland Place entrance five minutes before the tour starts.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre

Since 1973, In the Heart of the Beast (HOBT) has helped to create and cultivate the puppetry community in the Twin Cities, and has been widely celebrated for its large-scale puppets and activism. The troupe has brought some of the most talented puppeteers to Minneapolis, while maintaining a strong connection to the local puppet community. HOBT is a community of artists giving life to puppets that help tell stories to represent the world as it is and as we dream it could be.

Visiting with kids? Read our tips for visiting with families.

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.